The myths that link you to your social group, the tribal
myths, affirm that you are an organ of the larger organism.
Society
itself is an organ of a larger organism which is the landscape, the
world in which the tribe moves.
The main theme in ritual is the linking
of the individual to a larger morphological structure than that of his
own physical body...
- Joseph Campbell with Bill Moyers, The Power
of Myth - see previous
quotes
Welcome! This website
has been created to help make visible an emerging field of collective
wisdom, its study and practice. It came into being in 2002 with
support of the Fetzer Institute
and has evolved to the form you see today by the support and contributions
of hundreds of people and organizations
who have, for decades, been actively engaged in this field.
DECLARATION
of INTENT: We believe there exists
a field of collective consciousness — often seen and expressed
through metaphor — that is real and influential, yet invisible.
When we come into alignment with this field, there is a deeper understanding
of our connection with others, with life, and with a source of collective
wisdom. The work is on-going and dynamic.
We are calling into awareness this field of collective consciousness
and invite you to join us in building this discipline of collective
wisdom, its study and practice... [continued]
How
it Began: The Collective Wisdom Initiative
began with the publication of Centered
on the Edge, an Inquiry into group
wisdom. This inquiry developed into an exploration of ten arenas
of collective wisdom, represented by the
Doorways you
see on the left. All of the content to be found on this website
is contributed by people who are living, studying, or practicing
in the field of collective wisdom.
How
it Continues: The Collective Wisdom
Initiative continues through the contributions made on this site
and elsewhere. A recent outgrowth of the Collective Wisdom Initiative
is a small book, The
Power of Collective Wisdom, crafted by four stewards of the
initiative. Stories and historical examples throughout this
work serve to illuminate and illustrate how collective wisdom is
emerging in a range of settings and through the lives and traditions
of varied cultures and thought leaders.
GETTING
AROUND: This site is richly inter-connected,
and in addition to the links in bold type, almost any graphic image
or photo can be clicked on to take you to another part of the site.
For some tips about how to best make use of this site, click on
"Getting Around". We hope you enjoy your journey through
and beyond this site...
CONTACT CWI: You are invited to contact the
stewards of the Collective Wisdom Initiative with comments
or suggestions. Just click on the yellow "Contact CWI"
icon wherever you see it.
DECLARATION
of INTENT
How
it Began
How
it Continues
CONNECTIONS
GETTING
AROUND
CONTACT CWI